Thursday, September 26, 2013

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 'The Scribes & the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach!"

(Matthew 23:1-3)

It's been said that some want nothing to do with The Church, because "the church is full of hypocrites." That's completely true. (Yes, you read that right.) We in the church ARE hypocrites. But so is just about everyone else in the world, too. It's just that we in the church are trying to be saved from our hypocrisy.

Jesus was familiar with hypocrisy in his day. He saw it in the religious leaders. So he taught people to follow what the teachers TEACH, but not how they live their own lives. Ouch. That's a harsh judgment but I can understand it. As a pastor, there are times that I know I'm living out my faith. But there are a lot of other moments where I'm faced with my own hypocrisy.

Paul put it this way: "I know what I should be doing, but I can't do it. And the very things I hate are the things I find myself doing! I'm so wretched! What can rescue me from this? Only Jesus."

As leaders, however, we're held to higher standards (as it should be). But we're not perfect. Save me, O God, from my own hypocrisy. Make me more & more like you. AMEN.

"When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi... Machir... and Barzillai... brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat barley, meal, parched grain, beans & lentils, honey & curds, sheep & cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat..."

(2 Samuel 17:27-29)

King David is on the run. His son (Absalom) wants his throne (and his head!). David has chosen to flee rather than fight his own flesh and blood. He and his group of supporters arrive in Mahanaim - just East of the Jordan. While there, 3 men bring them supplies (see the list above). Scripture tells us they figured David & Co. were "hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness" (v.29).

So I figured I'd comment on the generosity & hospitality of these 3 people - as a reminder to us all. Then I started reading the notes in my study Bible as to who they were. This is what I discovered, upon a little "digging"...

SHOBI... "son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Amonites." Shobi's Dad, Nahash, was a brutal Amorite King. He'd gouge out the right eye of all the people he vanquished in war. In fact, according to 1 Samuel 10, he was the reason Saul became king of Israel! But when David took over as king, tensions must've changed. 2 Sam. 10 says that David & Nahash had a treaty together. When Nahash died, David offered to extend that peace to Hanun, his son. Hanun refused... sought to fight David... and was soundly defeated. So now, Shobi, his brother, seems to be both honoring his father's treaty with David, and making amends for his brother's rude insult. And being of royal lineage, Shobi would have had ample resources to share!

MACHIR... "son of Ammiel from Lo-debar." In 2 Samuel 9, David seeks to honor the pledge he made to Saul's son, Jonathan, to care for his family after his death. David discovers one of Jonathan's sons is still alive - a crippled young man. Though from King Saul's lineage, his physical deformity made him unable to go to war (and thus unsuitable to be king). David learned that "Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar" was caring for (or at least providing hospitality for) Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. David subsequently offered to provide for him. I'm guessing Machir loved Mephibosheth and was grateful for all the kindness David showed him... and thus wanted to repay him at his time of need.

BARZILLAI... "the Gileadite from Rogelim." Though we know nothing about him prior to this passage, in 2 Samuel 19 we learn that he was "a very wealthy man" (v.32). He was also much older. And obviously generous. David also loved him and offered to care for him back in Jerusalem (when his throne was restored). But Barzillai politely declined and opted to stay in his homeland.

"I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel & Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more."

(2 Samuel 12:8)

Just about everyone knows the sordid story of David & Bathsheba. Adultery has always been a factor in human society. Our sexual desires/appetites are strong. Oftentimes passion seems to trump commitment - in the "heat of the moment" it's hard to think clearly. Modern day cinema & novels speak of "soul mates" and "true love," often surpassing current relationships.

But David knew what he was doing. As King, he was the one in power and the instigator of this particular encounter. Failure to control his impulses led to further deception and ultimately murder. So God sent David's "pastor" to confront him via parable (2 Sam. 12:1-4). David immediately saw the injustice in the parable, but needed Nathan to connect the dots to his own life.

What struck me as I reread this difficult passage today is that God would ahve given David more, had he but asked (v.18)! We all have challenges with impulse control. But instead of trying to "man up" and handle it ourselves, why not take those needs to God first? Whether it's sexual frustration, financial challenges, relationship issues, etc. Tell God our heart's desires and allow Him to shape and correct and provide whatever it is we need most.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

"I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel & Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more."

(2 Samuel 12:8)

Just about everyone knows the sordid story of David & Bathsheba. Adultery has always been a factor in human society. Our sexual desires/appetites are very strong. Oftentimes, passion seems to trump commitment - the the "heat of the moment" it's hard to think clearly. Modern day cinema & novels speak of "soul mates" and "true love," often surpassing whatever current relationships one might be in.

But David knew what he was doing. As King, he was the one in power & the instigator of this particular encounter. Failure to control his impulses led to further deception, and ultimately murder. So God sent David's pastor to confront him via parable (2 Sam. 12:1-4). David immediately saw the injustice in the parable, but needed Nathan to connect the dots to his life.

What struck me as I reread this difficult passage today is that God would have given David more, had he but asked (v.8)! We all have challenges with impulse control. But instead of trying to "man up" and handle it ourselves, just go to God with a need. Whether it's sexual frustration, financial challenges, relationship issues, etc... Tell God our heart's desires and allow Him to shape, correct, and provide whatever it is that we need most.

"David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kindred as the singers to play on musical instruments, on harps, and lyres, and cymbals, to raise loud sounds of joy.. Obed-edom and Jehiah also were to be gatekeepers for the ark."

(1 Chronicles 15:16, 24b)

One of the first things David does when he becomes king is bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. Attempt #1 does not go well. One of the men helping carry the ark absentmindedly touches it and is instantly killed. So David, fearfully, leaves the ark at the home of a man named Obed-edom. Three months pass. Scripture tells us that God blessed Obed-edom. Then David makes attempt #2... and finally is successful in moving the ark.

2 Samuel 6 is the chapter most go to when reading this story. But it's also recorded by the Chronicler in 1 Chr. 15. Because the Chronicler is interested in liturgy, we get the names of the singers, musicians, and band members who accompany the ark on its journey. Obed-edom is mentioned as part of the lyre troop. Then in verse 24, we're told he's also one of the four "gatekeepers of the ark," as well!

Maybe that's just an insignificant detail. But I find it compellingly fascinating. Obed-edom was a foreign supporter of David who happened to be in the right place at the right time, and through his faithfulness was blessed by hosting the ark. Though the author of 2 Samuel no longer mentions him, 1 Chronicles 15 tells us David gave Obed-edom a future job: gatekeeper! He recognized Obed-edom had a gift of caretaking and he allowed him to continue that.

I love that. So should it be for all of us. May each of us find what we're good at... what brings us joy, honors God, and is a blessing to others. It may take us a few years to figure it out (it's not always discovered in college - though sometimes it is!)... but once we do, what a gift to be able to continue to do that!

"And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors & sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples."

(Matthew 9:10)

My son is home for the summer from college. He recently got a job with a temp agency. He's worked at PepsiCo, as part of a moving company, and even for an auto-auction firm. Yesterday, he got his second paycheck and was bemoaning the fact that so far, over $70 in taxes have been removed by the government. Despite my reminding him that taxes help support out schools, roads, safety, the poor, etc., he was not assuaged. Many have a similar gut response when it comes to taxes - and tax collectors!

In Jesus' day, tax collectors were some of the most hated people in all society. They were fellow Jews who could extract as much money as they could from their neighbors. So when Jesus called Matthew (who was a tax collector) to be one of his disciples, it caused a bit of a stir. But when MORE tax collectors started coming, even the Jewish leaders started talking! "Why dos (Jesus) eat with tax collectors & sinners?"

I think it's pretty cool that Jesus found a way into the tax collecting community, that led to many changed lives. Once Matthew was accepted, word spread. How much more good could we in the church do, if we cared less about what others think, and more about those who are the outcasts?

"David was in great danger; for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit for their sons & daughters. But David strengthened himself int he LORD his God."

(1 Samuel 30:6)

David is in exile (self-imposed) because King Saul wants him dead. He's fled to the land of the Philistines. However, he's convinced King Achish that he's on their side. Though the Philistine officers won't allow him to join them on the field of battle, Achish has given David the town of Ziklag. He lives there along with the families of the men who've attached themselves to him - outcasts, renegades, and the disgruntled.

One day, upon returning to Ziklag after being away for 3 days, they discover (to their horror) that their town has been sacked and their wives and children are gone. It's devastating, as you might imagine. The author tells us these grown men, these warriors, "wept until they had no more strength to weep." Understandably so! But then things get ugly for David. The men turn on their leader, and speak about his death.

What David did next is brilliant. He didn't try to talk them out of it. He didn't react with an iron fist. He didn't flee. No. He "strengthened himself in the Lord." He did what Jesus would frequently do during his lifetime, over a century later. He drew strength from God. He didn't try to figure it out himself or "tough it out" on his own strength. He rested in God. He silenced the outside influences and looked to his Creator for courage & hope. All of us (not just pastors) can learn from this when we face criticism, upheaval, and sticky situations.

(Oh yah, in the strength of the LORD, he eventually led his men to get back all of their family members, safe & sound! Praise God for that!)

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SCRIPTURE JOURNALING

Some of the best "divine inspiration" can come when we read the Bible on a regular basis. A few years ago I discovered the gift of reading the Bible devotionally - reading not to "get through" a particular book or passage, but rather to listen for a word from God. I've come to call this scripture journaling.

The process is simple, and I like using the SOAP acronym:S - SCRIPTURE... record one verse (or portion of a verse) that God used to speak to you during your reading...

O - OBSERVATION... Make an observation about what this scripture seems to be saying about God, us, life, etc.

A - APPLICATION... How does this apply to your life personally? What insight does this give you? How will you be different today because of what you've just read?

P - PRAYER... Write a short prayer as a response to God for what has just been revealed to you through scripture.

It's as simple as that! You can find the reading plan that we use at Palmdale UMC on our website (http://pumchurch.com/im-new/scripture-journaling)... but you can do this with any reading plan. The main point is finding time to spend with God through the life-giving power of the Bible! My daily blog entries come directly from my own scripture journaling. I hope it may encourage you to start this life-changing practice!

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About Me

I'm the pastor of Palmdale United Methodist Church in the Antelope Valley of California. I began serving this congregation in July 2015. I graduated from Waiakea High School on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1986... received my undergraduate degree in Theatre from the University of Hawaii ('90)... and my MDiv from Drew Theological School ('94). I've served 3 UMC congregations in Hawaii before coming to California.
You can listen to and read my sermons on our church website (www.pumchurch.com) - click on sermons...